Since January, Laney College has been undergoing a quiet transformation—one planter, one hallway, and one coat of paint at a time. Spearheaded by the Business Office , in collaboration with BC Hoff at District General Services (DGS), the Beautification Project is part of a campus-wide effort to restore pride and vibrancy to the spaces where students, faculty, and staff spend their time.
The first focus area was Building B, where a long-neglected planter box received a much-needed refresh. Today, it’s home to thriving Lacy Phacelia, a native flowering plant known not only for its delicate purple blooms but also for attracting pollinators like native bees. “The Lacy Phacelia in the planters is doing great and has attracted a lot of native bees,” wrote faculty member Amy Bohorquez.
None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of Laney’s incredible groundskeeping team, whose hands-on care and attention have brought new life to the campus landscape.
In addition to landscaping, the team has been focused on other areas in need of attention, such as deep-cleaning high-traffic spaces, resurfacing whiteboards, replacing ceiling tiles, and identifying other opportunities to improve the campus environment. While the door painting project was initially part of the effort, that specific work is now being taken over by the District.
Facilities Services Specialist Janice Browne, who is helping lead the effort, emphasized that this is just the beginning. “Each individual building will be visited to see what can be done to beautify the area. We started with Building B, but we’ll be moving on to other areas soon.”
The project reflects Laney’s ongoing commitment not just to academic and career education, but to creating a campus that supports learning, growth, and a strong sense of community—for all students, whether they’re pursuing transfer goals or hands-on career training.
If you spot blooming flowers, a freshly painted doorway, or a visiting bee—know it’s part of a larger plan to make Laney College even more beautiful, one thoughtful improvement at a time.